A supernaturally talented magician attempts to undermine the rigid social structure of turn-of-the-century Vienna by using his powers to win the love of his upper-class, childhood sweetheart in director Neil Burger's cinematic adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steven Millhauser's short story. Though the ill-fated childhood romance between cabinetmaker's son Eisenheim (Edward Norton) and upper-class Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel) eventually resulted in the heartbroken young man leaving Austria to explore the world, his dreams of one day reuniting with the beautiful duchess never faded. Upon returning to Vienna 15 years later as a talented and renowned illusionist, Eisenheim's hopes of a reunion seem dashed when he learns that Sophie is currently engaged to the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). As the tensions between the Eisenheim and Leopold elevate, urbane Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) finds his sympathy toward Eisenheim growing, despite his formal obligations to the powerful prince. Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Genre: Drama
- Category Supernatural Drama, Period Film, Romantic Drama
- Theme: Crowned Heads, Love Triangles, Murder Investigations, Wizards and Magicians
- Studio: 20th Century Fox
- Run Time: 01 hr 49 min
- Language: English
- Subtitle Language: Spanish, English
- Format: DVD
- Release Date: January 9, 2007
- Lead Actor: Edward Norton, Eddie Marsan, Rufus Sewell, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
- Supporting Actor: Jake Wood, Tom Fisher, Karl Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Eleanor Tomlinson
- Director: Neil Burger
awards
- Nominations: Academy Awards (1)
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Cinematography, 2006, Dick Pope
